Overview & Reviews

The Pontiac brand is part of the General Motors family, and is home to many of the automaker's more performance-oriented vehicles. Currently, the marque offers a broad range of sporty cars and SUVs. However, as part of GM's restructuring plan, the brand is slated to be discontinued by the end of the 2010 model year.

Pontiac originated as the Oakland Car Company of Pontiac, Michigan, in 1907; it was founded by Edward Murphy. Acquired by General Motors in 1909, Oakland introduced the first Pontiac vehicle in 1926. Dubbed the "Chief of the Sixes," the car was powered by a six-cylinder engine and made its debut at that year's New York auto show. It was so successful that the Oakland name was phased out in favor of Pontiac, the name of an 18th-century chief of the Ottawa Indians. Throughout the 1930s and '40s Pontiac made coupes, sedans and wagons in the low-to-mid price ranges. A unique styling cue of Pontiac cars from the mid-'30s to the mid-'50s was known as "Silver Streak," a set of art-deco-inspired chrome "speed lines" that ran up over the length of the hood to the base of the windshield.

The 1950s saw the introduction of the Pontiac Bonneville. The sprawling, stylish cruiser offered equal measures of performance and luxury, and was a breakout hit. But it wasn't until the 1960s that the Pontiac brand truly came into its own. American manufacturers had begun to offer downsized alternatives to the gigantic cruisers that had ruled the highways in previous decades. Pontiac came to market with the compact Tempest. In 1964, Pontiac made its biggest impact yet with the creation of the GTO option for the Tempest. By equipping the car with the powerful 389 cubic-inch V8 from the full-size car line, Pontiac created the first "muscle car." Phenomenally successful, the GTO helped define the burgeoning muscle car category. Pontiac also saw tremendous success during the latter part of this decade with its Firebird and Firebird Trans Am.

The oil crisis of the '70s made fuel efficiency a priority for many car buyers. Following the lead of its GM siblings, Pontiac made compact vehicles like the Ventura and Phoenix a major part of its lineup. The '80s saw the launch of the two-seat Pontiac Fiero. Despite its modest beginnings (it was initially marketed as a "commuter car"), the Fiero eventually blossomed into a credible sports car.

The '90s saw the launch of Pontiacs like the Sunfire and Montana minivan. Pontiac has slowly lost sales due to changing tastes and a lack of differentiation between its models and those of other GM divisions. In hopes of recapturing past glory, the division embarked on a plan to retire aged models and introduce all-new ones with distinctive styling and personality. For a while, the effort seemed to be bearing fruit. New models like the Vibe, Solstice and G8 made Pontiac a brand to consider in many segments. However, GM's financial troubles in 2008 and 2009 have resulted in the company's decision to phase out Pontiac as a brand. It's expected 2010 will be Pontiac's last year for new models.

User Reviews:

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  Love to drive it!! - 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Kev - August 6 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my SE 12/99 as a used model. I was looking for something with good handling, ride and interior room. I got it all. The car handles like it should cost a lot more. The engine is ok, could stand a few more horses but its good enough. Now, with more than 135K, its still running very well. Have only replaced the battery, water pump and window motor for the passenger side. (may have to do driver side soon if it keeps acting stupid) Was unaware of the lens problem until I took it for the recall work and the lens was missing. They washed the car so I assumed they broke the lens. They replaced it no charge.

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  Problematic car - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By justin-vh - August 6 - 9:43 am

  Unfortunately, this car has been very problematic for me. Water leaks, Air Conditioner problems (noise and smell), many different rattles and squeaks in the car, damaged roof rack, missing some finishing details from the factory, like door stops. Car wouldnt start the other day. Ive only had the car for 6 months and bought it brand new. What made my problems worse were the poor GM service reps. One rep damaged the roof rack and interior when attempting to fix my problems. Other dealers simply were not interested in trying to fix my cars problems, even when the problems could be reproduced in front of the service reps eyes. Wishing I didnt buy this car....

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  Great Car for Great Price - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By sps97tj - August 6 - 5:00 am

  I have had this car for about 2 months now & I love it! It rides good, gas mileage is decent so far. The integrated remote start was a key selling feature that has been used almost every day here in Michigan. 2 key complaints though. Lots of squeaks and rattles when it gets really cold. I got the tan interior and the driver seat already has wear/dye from jeans. Still cant beat the price.

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  Great Car for the Price - 2005 Pontiac Grand AM
  By New Pontiac owner - August 6 - 2:23 am

  Ive only had this car for a few weeks, but so far Im loving it. I was a little hesitant to buy this car because I like a lot of bells and whistles on an automobile. It came down to practibility for me. And for the money, Im really pleased with my purchase. The car has a sporty feel even in the 4 door model. Makes me feel young again. HA!

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  Comfortable and Roomy - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By Stacy - August 5 - 10:40 pm

  Ive only had my Torrent for a few weeks now but I love it. I went from a 1992 Blazer junk that served me well but what a change for me! I only saw the car once in a restaurant parking lot and said that was the car for me. Its very comfortable and roomy. It has good acceleration too but I think it doesnt have good gas mileage. Overall I recommend it.

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  Dont even think about getting one! - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By JAKE - August 5 - 12:16 pm

  The car is just plain poorly made. Great at the dealership and first 1,000 miles. After that, its all a sad story. The car changed and the interior started to fall apart. There is a leak that wont go away and the seat now feels like a bag of potatos! I am VERY disappointed in this GM offering and now see why the car was so cheap. Any manufacturer that offers "employee pricing" is in deep trouble. I dislike this car so much, I took it back and paid a small fortune to get out of it and into another car. Do yourself a favor, dont even bother with this vehicle.

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  LOVE IT! - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By whitehotter09 - August 5 - 11:21 am

  Love everything but the RED dash lights, if the color was selectable Id buy a spare G8 GT. I debadged mine & have A GTO license plate. LOVE IT! Glad I was able to purchase NEW at the end of the model run........ I worked at Pontiac in the 60s but never owned one, now I own the best they never made because its really a HOLDEN with a Corvette\Chevy engine.

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  Unbelievable - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By Panama Jack - August 5 - 3:26 am

  I LOVE IT!I LOVE IT!I LOVE IT! Traded in my 3 Series and I have no regrets. This car is truly amazing... Dont pass up the opportunity to get your hands on one of these cars before they are all gone.

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  Garbage. Please do NOT buy! - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By prouddaddy19 - August 5 - 3:24 am

  I got this car from a local dealership closeby back in early Sep/2011. I loved it. It was the nicest car Ive ever had. Has everything! 2 weeks later, electronic accel control goes out and the radio reads engine power reduced Got that fixed. 1 week later it happens again. dealer says it was a faulty part so they fixed it. 2 weeks ago I noticed that when I press the brakes on the highway the car shakes horribly. Dealer says the alignment is good. Then last week I pull into aco-workers driveway, and the yellow wrench light comes on and says low coolant. Checked coolant and no problems. Right on the full line. Now today from coming out from wal-mart, starter seized. DONT buy this car! LEMON!!

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  Not terrible but I wouldnt consider this car a winner. - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By rocosoco - August 5 - 12:51 am

  I bought it used with 50k miles on it. Steering problem which the dealer fixed. The XM Radio transmitter on the roof leaks sometimes into my light and sunroof button and onto my shifter. Overall poorly build on the inside. The mechanics seem fine for now, no major problems...at 76k miles now. Ill probably keep it until it dies...maybe Ill be able to get it up to 120k...that would be ideal. Nice cheap car, but I should have done more research and I probably would have bought another car if I did...